Level 1

• Economics in context (DD126)

  Why are markets so powerful in most economies today? And since when? What is the role of the government in different economies, and how does this role shape opportunities of different people and firms? What explains global inequalities? Why is economic growth such a key economic goal in most countries today? Are there other goals economies could pursue? DD126 Economics in Context, our new level 1 module in Economics, being presented for the first time in September 2019, will unravel some of these questions, using insights from recent history, and from key economic thinkers, and drawing on a plurality of economic perspectives and examples. DD126 will allow you to engage with how economies work, what lies behind government choices, and with how these choices are a result of a particular ideology, and a particular school of thought. It is a building block towards the development of an informed critical perspective on the consequences of economics and economic choices for our daily lives.

• You and your money (DB125)

  Are you interested in making more informed decisions about your personal finances? You and your money is a practical module that will develop your financial skills and improve your understanding of the constantly changing social and economic environment in which financial decisions are made. You’ll explore questions such as: Why do people borrow so much? How can I plan for my retirement? By the end of this key introductory OU level 1 module, you’ll have a detailed understanding of some key personal finance issues that affect people’s lives, and the skills and knowledge needed to improve your own financial capability. 

Level 2

• Economics in practice (DD226)

  This is an introduction to the way that the theories and tools of economics are used in the workplace and everyday life. Using interviews with working economists and real-world examples, such as tackling flood risk, planning for climate change and using sugar taxes to improve public health, it'll demonstrates how economics is used and embedded in the lives that we lead. Moreover, it'll give you a taste of what it might be like to work in one of the many careers where aspects of economics would be utilised on a daily basis.

  Before registering for this module, to help you decide whether you're ready to study at this level, you can take our Are you ready for DD226? quiz. There is also advice on preparatory materials you can study before you start in order to be better prepared for your studies.

• Running the economy (DD209)

  This module responds to the need to understand the problems of running national and global economies in the wake of a major economic crisis. It starts with macroeconomics, looking at how economies work from global and integrated perspectives. It then moves to microeconomics, drilling down into the behaviour of people, firms and governments. This combined analysis allows you to start exploring how policy affects, and is affected by, the economy and its constituent members. Using a simulator, you will apply what you have learned, taking on the role of an economic analyst to make or advise on policy choices.

  Before registering for this module, to help you decide whether you're ready to study at this level you can take our Are you ready for DD209? quiz. You will also find advice on preparatory materials you can study before you start in order to be better prepared for your studies.

Level 3

• Doing economics: people, markets and policy (DD309)

  This module teaches economic theories that explain the behaviour of people in households, firms, markets and governments. It presents alternative economic explanations that will enable you to make your own critical judgements of which theory serves which purpose best. The module also equips you with the research skills that you’ll need to conduct your own project on a topic you want to know more about. At the end of the module, you should have developed a more critical view of the socio-economic world in which you live.